Hamilton Memorial Hospital serves many purposes. We work to improve your health; educate providers, health professionals, patients and the community, and try to improve the understanding of overall health. In carrying out these activities, HMHD works to respect you, your values and your dignity.  We consider you a partner in your hospital care. When you are well informed, participate in treatment decisions, and communicate openly with your doctor and other health professionals, you help make your care as effective as possible. This hospital encourages respect for the personal preference and values of each individual. 

While you are a patient in the hospital your rights include the following:

1. You have the right to participate in the development and implementation of your plan of care. To be well informed about your illness, possible treatments, and the likely outcome. You have the right to discuss all this information with your doctor. You have the right to know the names and roles of the staff treating you.
2. You have the right to expect a timely response to your reports of pain, information about pain, pain relief measures, and a concerned staff committed to pain prevention and pain management.
3. You have the right to request, consent to, or refuse a treatment, as permitted by law, throughout your hospital stay. If you refuse a recommended treatment, you will receive other needed and available care. You have the right to consent or decline to take part in research affecting your care. If you choose not to take part, you will receive the most effective care the hospital otherwise provides.
4. You have the right to formulate an advance directive; such as a living will, health care proxy, POA, or DNR-POLST. This hospital will follow these directives. These documents express your choices about your future care or name someone to decide if you cannot speak for yourself. Please  provide a copy to the hospital, your family, and your doctor. You will receive appropriate care even if you choose not to have advance directives.
5. You have the right to receive care in a private and safe setting. You have the right to considerate and respectful care. To be free from all forms of abuse or harassment, and to be free from restraints of any form that are not medically necessary.
6. You have the right to expect that clinical records are confidential. When the hospital releases records to others such as insurers it is emphasized the all records are confidential. You have the right to review your clinical records and to have the information explained to you. The hospital will fulfill your request for information as timely as the system will permit. You have to give permission to release information to others.
7. You have the right to expect that the hospital will give you necessary health services to the best of their ability. Treatment, referral, or transfer may be recommended. If transfer is recommended or requested, you will be informed of risks, benefits, and alternatives. You will not be transferred until the other institution agrees to accept you.
8. You have the right to know if this hospital has a relationship with outside parties that may influence your treatment and care. These relationships may be with educational institutions, other health care providers, or insurers.
9. You have the right to be told of realistic care alternatives when hospital care is no longer appropriate.
10. You have the right to know hospital rules that affect you and your treatment. You have the right to know about charges and payment methods, and about hospital resources, such as patient representatives or ethics committees. Any grievances may be directed in verbal, by phone, or written to administration or any supervisor. You can also call the compliance hotline at 618.643.5823. 
11. You have the right to have family members or representatives of your choice and your own physician notified of your admission to the hospital.
12. You have the right to receive visitors whom you designate. (See Visitation Policy that is attached to this packet.)
13. Medicare patients have the right to receive a copy of the important message form from Medicare.
14. You have the right to participate in your discharge planning.

While you are a patient at this hospital, your responsibilities include:

1. You are responsible for providing information about present complaints, pat illness, including hospital stays, use of medications, and other matters relating to your health.
2. You are responsible for asking questions when you do not understand information or instructions. If you believe you cannot follow through with your treatment plan, you are responsible for telling your provider. You are responsible for reporting perceived risks in your care and unexpected changes in your condition.
3. You are responsible for reporting anything in this facility that would put you at risk, such as spills on the floor, improper lighting etc.
4. Your health depends not just on your hospital care, but in the long term on the decisions you make. You are responsible for recognizing the effect of life-style on your personal health.
5. This hospital works to provide care efficiently and fairly to all patients and the community. You have the right to revive visitors you designate, including, but not limited to, a spouse, a domestic partner, another family member, or a friend. You have the right to withdraw or deny such consent at any time.
6. You are responsible for providing information for insurance and for working with the hospital to arrange payment when necessary.
7. You are responsible for talking with your provider or nurse about what to expect regarding pain and/or paint management. To help the staff assess your pain, you are also responsible to provide the information based on the pain scale and note the areas, duration, and type of pain. If your pain continues after you have established a care pan you are responsible to talking with a staff member and/or your provider.
8. It is your responsibility to be aware that verbal aggression will not be tolerated by HMHD and any physical assault will be reported to law enforcement.